Valve-bung.



No. 882,652. PATENTED MARQ24, 190s.

. A.SGHAPER.

VA BUN APPLIGATIO 111) JA 907.

f z C a M d fi ML 2.

UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT SGHAPER, OF HANOVER, GERMANY.

VALVE-BUNG.

No. ssaosz.

Application filed January 14, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT Sonarnn, a citizen of Germany, residing at Hanover, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Valve-Brings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a bung for barrels provided with a reversible valve-containing plug, and so constructed that it maybe used either during the fermenting period, or while the barrel is being tapped.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the bung with the plug removed ;Fig. .2 a similar section of the upper part of the hung, with the plug in serted; Fig. 3 a longitudinal section tln'ough the plug, showing it reversed; and Fig. 4 an end view of the plug.

The bung a, is provided with an axial bore d, and a communicating cylindrical opening 6, extending at right angles thereto. \Vithin opening 6, is snugly fitted a cylindrical reversible plug (2 composed of cork, which is so cut that its pores extend in a direction vertical to its longitudinal axis, so as to prevent gases or air from escaping.

Plug c, is provided with an approximately Z-shaped channel composed of three communicating (luctsf, g, 72. Of these, central duct g, which is of larger diameter than ducts f, and h, passes through plug 0, in a direction vertical to its axis, or parellel to the axis of the bung. Ducts f, and 72, extend along the cylindrical surface of the plug in opposite directions and at opposite ends of duct g.

Within duct g, is snugly fitted a perforated cylindrical valve casing or cup t, containing a ball valve 1). Parts 1, and o, should be composed of a material which is not liable to be attacked by the liquid contents of the barrel and by the gases passing through the bung. So also, it is important for a reliable operation of the valve, that the latter be very light. For both of the above reasons, cup i, as Well as valve 1), are preferably composed of aluminium.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 24, 1908.

Serial No. 352,121.

Cup t is of cylindrical form and extends from its perforated base, forming the valveseat, to the top, and if desired also to the bottom of the plug. in this way the cup forms a lining for the duct 9 and prevents the liquid from flowing from ductf into duct It, through the uprightpores of the cork. Opposite ductf, the upper edge of the cup is notched to establish communication between the interior of the cup and the interior of the duct. The cylindrical extension of the valve seat furthermore protects the cork wall against abrasion by the valve and prevents any displacement of the valve-seat within the d uct.

1f the bung is used during the fermentation period, plug 0, is inserted to occupy the position shown in the drawing. l'l ere the gases generated within the barrel may readily escape through ducts 71 9,], by lifting ball 1), off its seat, while air is preventml from entering (Fig. 3 When the barrel is to be tapped, plug 0, is reversed axially, so that duct 1', is placed in communication with bore cl,

while duct 71., is placed in communication with the atmosphere, so that the air may now freely enter through ducts 71 g, f, (Fig. 2), valve 1), being new raised off its seat by suction.

I claim:

A valve bung, combined with a reversible cork plug having a longitudinal duct and a pair of transverse ducts extending in opposite directions from the top and bottom of the longitudinal duct respectively, an inclosed cup having a valve-seat and a cylindrical wall that extends within the longitudinal duct from the valve-seat to the surface of the plug, and a valve within said cup, substantially as specified.

Signed by me at Hanover, Germany, this 31st day of December, 1906.

ALBERT SCHAPER.

witnesses:

L. VAN DER RUAN, PAUL R. Tnoursox. 

